The Discipline Of Going The Extra Mile – 6 Ways To Go The Extra Mile
There are no traffic jams along the extra mile.
Roger Staubach
We are in the process of college shopping with our oldest child, Hannah. She is getting ready to start her senior year in high school, and we have spent several long weekends this summer visiting colleges.
A couple of week’s ago, we visited Grove City College which is located in Western Pennsylvania. Hannah had an interview with the admissions department, and she met with the track and cross-country coaches.
As we were planning for this visit a few weeks prior to our trip across the state of Pennsylvania, my brother and sister-in-law reached out to us about meeting us in Grove City for the weekend. They live in Milwaukee, Wisconsin which means they were committing to ten hours (or more) of driving each way just to spend a day or two with our family.
We reserved a couple of rooms at a hotel halfway between Grove City and Pittsburgh, and we spent time together playing games, swimming in the pool, visiting Pittsburgh, and hanging out.
They arrived late Friday night, and we left around noon on Sunday to return home. The visit was short, but it was something I won’t forget.
My brother and his family decided to drive over twenty hours, pay for tolls, hotel, and food, and miss out on a weekend of activities at their own home just to spend time with us. Their willingness to go the extra mile meant the world to me.
Their visit reminded me that we need to cultivate the discipline of going the extra mile.
Going the extra mile means taking the extra effort. It means going two miles with someone when they ask you to go one mile. Going the extra mile shows people you really care. And it can mean the difference between good and great – in your job performance, in your extra curricular activities, and in your relationships.
If you’re having trouble getting started with this discipline, here are some ideas to help you go the extra mile:
6 Ways To Go The Extra Mile
- Be alert and take action in your daily life. What do you see? What drives you crazy? And what are you doing about it? It drives me crazy when I see trash on the floor and when I see grumpy people in my daily life. I have the opportunity to practice the discipline of going the extra mile when I come upon these things. I can pick up the trash instead of waiting for someone else to take care of it. I can take time to listen to unhappy people I encounter at work. These simple responses are an opportunity to go the extra mile. You have similar opportunities around you each and every day.
- Don’t wait for the ask. Don’t be reactive. Become proactive. As you practice this discipline, it will become more and more natural. You won’t need the prodding of others to get you started.
- Don’t look for accolades. We give GEMs at our office for people who have “gone the extra mile.” These awards are away to say thank you, and they are great. But our motive for going the extra mile should not be about being recognized or about receiving an award. The discipline of going the extra mile is about doing the right thing even when no one is watching.
- Find ways to put a special touch on it. Be creative. The discipline of going the extra mile may require some mental and physical energy. Leave tips. Find creative ways to say thank you. Make others feel valued. By going the extra mile, you have the opportunity to help others know they are special.
- Partner with others. The discipline of going the extra mile is always better when you practice it with others. By inviting others to join you in this discipline, you will have the opportunity to encourage each other and hold each other accountable. I meet with a group of men every week in hopes that they will spur me on to go the extra mile.
- Make the sacrifice. If you really take this discipline seriously, you will have to sacrifice your time, your energy, and your resources. When you go the extra mile, you will discover that the sacrifice is worth it.